Air condition measurement apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

The air condition measurement apparatus according to various embodiments of the present invention comprises: a housing comprising a first space and a second space therein; a light-emitting unit which is positioned inside the housing, comprises a first lens, and radiates light to air flowing into the housing; a light-receiving unit which is positioned inside the housing, comprises a second lens, and receives reflected light formed from the reflection of the radiated light, radiated from the light-emitting unit, by foreign substances included in the air; a blocking member which transmits the radiated light or the reflected light and separates the first space, in which the light-emitting unit or the light-receiving unit is disposed, from the second space; and a control unit, wherein the control unit may be configured to measure the condition of air on the basis of a signal corresponding to the reflected light received by the light-receiving unit. Other various embodiments may be possible.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to air conditionmeasurement apparatus and a method thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

An air condition measurement apparatus may be a device for measuring theconcentrations of foreign substances contained in the air. The aircondition measurement apparatus may measure foreign substances in theinterior of a building, such as an office or home, and the user maycheck the measured concentrations of foreign substances, therebyoperating an air purifier. The air condition measurement apparatus maybe connected to an air purifier, or may be combined with an air purifierto thus drive the air purifier according to the measured concentrationsof foreign substances.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

Existing air condition measurement apparatuses include a light-emittingunit that radiates light onto foreign substances and a light-receivingunit that receives reflection light reflected by the foreign substances,thereby measuring the concentrations of foreign substances in the air inan optical method. In the existing air condition measurement apparatus,foreign substances may adhere to the lens of the light-emitting unit andthe lens of the light-receiving unit, thereby lowering the performanceof the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit. A user mustperiodically (approximately every 2 to 3 months) remove the foreignsubstances attached to the lens of the light-emitting unit and the lensof the light-receiving unit using cleaning equipment, such as a swab,which may be inconvenient to the user. If the optical axes of the lensesare misaligned in the process of directly removing foreign substancesattached to the lenses by the user, the reliability of foreignsubstances measurement may be degraded. Conventional air conditionmeasurement apparatuses require an opening through which the cleaningequipment is inserted into a housing, which is not preferable in termsof design of the air condition measurement apparatus.

An air condition measurement apparatus and a method thereof according tovarious embodiments of the disclosure are intended to prevent foreignsubstances from adhering to the lens of a light-emitting unit and thelens of a light-receiving unit.

An air condition measurement apparatus and a method thereof according tovarious embodiments of the disclosure are intended to facilitateconvenient removal of foreign substances from a housing.

An air condition measurement apparatus and a method thereof according tovarious embodiments of the disclosure are intended to provide betterquality design of the air condition measurement apparatus by eliminatingthe need for an opening for insertion of cleaning equipment, as in aconventional air condition measurement apparatus.

Technical Solution

An air condition measurement apparatus according to various embodimentsof the disclosure may include: a housing including a first space and asecond space therein; a light-emitting unit positioned inside thehousing, including a first lens, and configured to radiate light ontoair introduced into the housing; a light-receiving unit positionedinside the housing, including a second lens, and configured to receivereflected light obtained by reflection of the light radiated from thelight-emitting unit by foreign substances contained in the air; ablocking member through which the radiated light or the reflected lightpasses through and configured to separate the first space in which thelight-emitting unit or the light-receiving unit is arranged from thesecond space; and a control unit, wherein the control unit is configuredto measure air condition on the basis of an electrical signalcorresponding to the reflected light received by the light-receivingunit.

An air condition measurement method according to various embodiments ofthe disclosure may include: radiating light using a light-emitting unitpositioned inside a housing so as to pass through a blocking memberpreventing foreign substances from adhering to a first lens of thelight-emitting unit; receiving reflected light obtained by reflection ofthe radiated light from the light-emitting unit by foreign substancescontained in the air inside the housing via the blocking member using alight-receiving unit positioned inside the housing; receiving anelectrical signal corresponding to the received reflection light fromthe light-receiving unit; and measuring a first value of air conditionby comparing the electrical signal received from the light-receivingunit with a predetermined value stored in a memory using a control unit.

Advantageous Effects

An air condition measurement apparatus and a method thereof according tovarious embodiments of the disclosure use a blocking member thatprevents the air introduced into the housing from flowing to thelight-receiving unit and the light-emitting unit and prevents foreignsubstances from adhering to the light-emitting unit and thelight-receiving unit, thereby improving the reliability of the foreignsubstance measurement.

An air condition measurement apparatus and a method thereof according tovarious embodiments of the disclosure do not require separate cleaningof the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit, therebypreventing misalignment of optical axes of the lenses of thelight-receiving unit and the light-emitting unit in the process ofcleaning the same, and do not require an opening of the housing forcleaning the light-receiving unit and the light-emitting unit, therebyproviding better quality design of the air condition measurementapparatus.

An air condition measurement apparatus and a method thereof according tovarious embodiments of the disclosure may facilitate convenient removalof foreign substances inside the housing by controlling the rotationalspeed of a fan.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the interior of an aircondition measurement apparatus according to one of various embodimentsof the disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a side view illustrating the interior of an air conditionmeasurement apparatus according to one of various embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram of an air condition measurement apparatusaccording to one of various embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a side view illustrating the operation of a vibration unit ofan air condition measurement apparatus according to one of variousembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a side view illustrating the state in which foreignsubstances are removed from a blocking member by driving a vibrationunit of an air condition measurement apparatus according to one ofvarious embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an air conditionmeasurement apparatus according to another of various embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of A shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a blocking member and a vibrationunit of an air condition measurement apparatus according to another ofvarious embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a blocking member and a vibrationunit of an air condition measurement apparatus according to another ofvarious embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating a blocking member and a vibrationunit of an air condition measurement apparatus according to another ofvarious embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating the state in which a blocking memberand a vibration unit of an air condition measurement apparatus aremounted according to another of various embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 10A is a flowchart illustrating an air condition measurement methodaccording to one of various embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 10B is a flowchart illustrating an air condition measurement methodaccording to another of various embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 10C is a flowchart illustrating an air condition measurement methodaccording to another of various embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating a first value of air condition of an aircondition measurement apparatus and a third value of air conditionreceived using wireless communication according to various embodimentsof the disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating an air condition measurementapparatus according to another of various embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating the interior of an air conditionmeasurement apparatus according to another of various embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating an air condition measurementapparatus according to another of various embodiments of the disclosure.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the disclosure will be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments and theterms used therein are not intended to limit the technology disclosedherein to specific forms, and should be understood to include variousmodifications, equivalents, and/or alternatives to the correspondingembodiments. In describing the drawings, similar reference numerals maybe used to designate similar constituent elements. A singular expressionmay include a plural expression unless they are definitely different ina context. As used herein, singular forms may include plural forms aswell unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The expression “afirst”, “a second”, “the first”, or “the second” may modify variouscomponents regardless of the order and/or the importance, and is usedmerely to distinguish one element from any other element withoutlimiting the corresponding elements. When an element (e.g., firstelement) is referred to as being “(functionally or communicatively)connected,” or “directly coupled” to another element (second element),the element may be connected directly to the another element orconnected to the another element through yet another element (e.g.,third element).

The expression “configured to” as used in various embodiments of thedisclosure may be interchangeably used with, for example, “suitablefor”, “having the capacity to”, “designed to”, “adapted to”, “made to”,or “capable of” in terms of hardware or software, according tocircumstances. Alternatively, in some situations, the expression “deviceconfigured to” may mean that the device, together with other devices orcomponents, “is able to”. For example, the phrase “processor adapted (orconfigured) to perform A, B, and C” may mean a dedicated processor(e.g., embedded processor) only for performing the correspondingoperations or a generic-purpose processor (e.g., Central Processing Unit(CPU) or Application Processor (AP)) that can perform the correspondingoperations by executing one or more software programs stored in a memorydevice.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the interior of an aircondition measurement apparatus according to one of various embodimentsof the disclosure. FIG. 2A is a side view illustrating the interior ofan air condition measurement apparatus according to one of variousembodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 2B is a block diagram of an aircondition measurement apparatus according to one of various embodimentsof the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 2B, an air condition measurement apparatus 100according to one of various embodiments of the disclosure may include ahousing 101, a light-emitting unit 102, a light-receiving unit 103, anda blocking member 105.

The housing 101 may have an inner space, and may include a first side111, a second side 112 facing the first side 111, and a lower side 113connecting the first side 111 and the second side 112. The housing 101may include air inlets 111 a and 112 a formed on the first and secondsides 111 and an air outlet 113 a formed on the lower side 113. The airinlets 111 a and 112 a may provide paths through which air is introducedfrom the outside of the housing 101 into the housing 101. The air outlet113 a may provide a path through which air is discharged from the insideof the housing 101 to the outside of the housing 101. According tovarious embodiments of the disclosure, the air inlets 111 a and 112 amay be paths through which the air inside the housing 101 is discharged,as well as paths through which the air is introduced from the outside ofthe housing 101 thereinto. According to various embodiments of thedisclosure, the air outlet 113 a may be a path through which the air isintroduced from the outside of the housing 101 thereinto, as well as apath through which the air inside the housing 101 is discharged.

The light-emitting unit 102 may be positioned inside the housing 101.The light-emitting unit 102 may include a first body 121, alight-emitting part 123, and a first lens 125. The first body 121 may becoupled to the first side 111 of the housing 101 while accommodating thelight-emitting part 123. According to various embodiments of thedisclosure, the first body 121 may be positioned inside the housing 101using separate equipment, as well as being coupled to the first side111. The light-emitting part 123 may be an LED. According to variousembodiments of the disclosure, the light-emitting part 123 may be any ofvarious lighting devices capable of emitting light, as well as the LED.The first lens 125 may mounted on the first body 121 so as to refractlight radiated from the light-emitting part 123. The first lens 125 maybe made of glass or a transparent resin. According to variousembodiments of the disclosure, the air condition measurement apparatus100 may radiate light onto the inside of the housing 101 using naturallight, as well as the light-emitting unit 102.

The light-receiving unit 103 may be positioned inside the housing 101.The light-receiving unit 103 may include a second body 131, alight-receiving sensor 133, and a second lens 135. The second body 131may be coupled to the second side 112 of the housing 101 whileaccommodating the light-receiving sensor 133. According to variousembodiments of the disclosure, the second body 131 may be positionedinside the housing 101 using separate equipment, as well as beingcoupled to the second side 112. The light-receiving sensor 133 mayreceive light inside the housing 101, and may convert the received lightinto an electrical signal. The second lens 135 may be mounted on thesecond body 131 so as to refract the light inside the housing 101 towardthe light-receiving sensor 133. The second lens 135 may be made of glassor a transparent resin.

The blocking member 105 may be arranged between the light-receiving unit103 and the air inlets 111 a and 112 a. The blocking member 105 may beconfigured in the form of a plate, and may be coupled to the innersurface of the housing 101. The blocking member 105 may divide the innerspace of the housing 101 into a first space 115 and a second space 116.The light-emitting unit 102 and the light-receiving unit 103 may bearranged in the first space 115. Air may be introduced into the secondspace 116 through the air inlets 111 a and 112 a. For example, the airin the second space 116 may contain foreign substances. The foreignsubstances may encompass all kinds of impurities contained in the air,such as dust or smoke. The blocking member 105 may be made of atransparent material. For example, the blocking member 105 may be madeof glass or a transparent resin. Since the blocking member 105 is madeof a transparent material, light emitted from the light-emitting unit102, which is positioned in the first space 115, may pass through theblocking member 105 to reach the foreign substances in the second space116, and may then be converted to reflection light by the foreignsubstances. The light-receiving unit 103 arranged in the second space115 may receive reflection light reflected by the foreign substances inthe second space 116 via the transparent blocking member 105. Accordingto various embodiments of the disclosure, the blocking member may bemade of an opaque and light-transmitting material, as well as atransparent material.

The air condition measurement apparatus according to various embodimentsof the disclosure may include a fan 104 that makes an air flow insidethe housing 101.

The fan 104 may be positioned at the air outlet 113 a. However, the fan104 may be arranged at the lower side of the housing 101, instead of theair outlet 113 a. The fan 104 may discharge the air inside the housing101 to the outside thereof, thereby inducing air to flow into thehousing 101 through the air inlets 111 a and 112 a. For example, the fan104 may make an air flow between the air inlets 111 a and 112 a and theair outlet 113 a.

The air condition measurement apparatus according to various embodimentsof the disclosure may further include a vibration unit 106 arranged onone side of the blocking member 105.

The vibration unit 106 may generate vibration using an electricalsignal. The vibration unit 106 may include a piezoelectric element. Asthe vibration unit 106 vibrates, the foreign substances attached to oneside of the blocking member 105 may be removed.

The air condition measurement apparatus 100 according to one of variousembodiments of the disclosure may further include a control unit 107, alight-emitting unit 102, a light-receiving unit 103, and a fan 104.

The control unit 107 may be configured to measure air condition insidethe housing 101 (FIG. 1) on the basis of an electrical signal receivedfrom the light-receiving unit 103.

The light-emitting unit 102 may be electrically connected to the controlunit 107. The control unit 107 may control the emission of light by thelight-emitting unit 102. A third driving circuit 173 may be disposedbetween the light-emitting unit 102 and the control unit 107. The thirddriving circuit 173 may receive an electrical signal by the control unit107, and may then drive the light-emitting unit 102.

The light-receiving unit 103 may be electrically connected to thecontrol unit 107 through an amplifier circuit 172. The amplifier circuit172 may amplify an electrical signal received from the light-receivingunit 103, and may then transmit the amplified electrical signal to thecontrol unit 107. According to various embodiments of the disclosure,the light-receiving unit 103 may be directly connected to the controlunit 107 without passing through the amplifier circuit 172.

The fan 104 may be electrically connected to the control unit 107through the first driving circuit 174. The control unit 107 may controlthe rotational speed of the fan 104. According to various embodiments ofthe disclosure, the fan 104 may be directly connected to the controlunit 107 without passing through the first driving circuit 174.

The vibration unit 106 may be electrically connected to the control unit107 through the second driving circuit 176. The control unit 107 maytransmit an electrical signal to the vibration unit 106, therebycontrolling the driving of the vibration unit. According to variousembodiments of the disclosure, the vibration unit 106 may be directlyconnected to the control unit 107 without passing through the seconddriving circuit 176.

The air condition measurement apparatus 100 according to variousembodiments of the disclosure may include a memory 109.

The memory 109 may store a second value that is a comparative value forcomparison of air condition. The control unit 107 may compare a firstvalue of air condition corresponding to the light received by thelight-receiving unit 103 with the second value. The control unit 107 maycontrol the rotational speed of the fan 104 on the basis of thedifference between the first value and the second value.

The air condition measurement apparatus 100 according to variousembodiments of the disclosure may include a communication module 110.

The communication module 110 may transmit and receive a radio signal toand from an external server or an external electronic device, therebyreceiving a third value of the outdoor air condition. The control unit107 may compare the first value with the third value. The control unit107 may control the rotational speed of the fan 104 on the basis of thedifference between the first value and the third value.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the communicationmodule 110 may receive specified information (e.g., instructions) froman external server or an external electronic device. The control unit107 may be configured to control the vibration unit 106 so as togenerate vibration upon receiving the specified information through thecommunication module 110. For example, the control unit 107 may allowthe vibration unit 106 to generate vibration on the basis of thespecified information (e.g., instructions), thereby removing foreignsubstances (e.g., dust) attached to the blocking member 105.

FIG. 3A is a side view showing the state in which a vibration unit of anair condition measurement apparatus is driven according to one ofvarious embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 3B is a side view showingthe state in which foreign substances are removed from a blocking memberby driving a vibration unit of an air condition measurement apparatusaccording to one of various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the vibration unit 106 may receive anelectrical signal from the control unit 107 (FIG. 2A), and may convertthe electrical signal into vibration energy. As the vibration unit 106vibrates, the blocking member 105 coupled to the vibration unit 106 maybe vibrated. As the blocking member 105 is vibrated, foreign substancesattached to one side of the blocking member 105 may be removed. Sincethe air condition measurement apparatus 100 is able to remove foreignsubstances attached to the blocking member 105 using the vibration unit106, it is possible to prevent generation of noise in the light emittedfrom the emitting unit 102 and the reflection light received by thelight-receiving unit 103 due to the foreign substances attached to theblocking member 105.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an air conditionmeasurement apparatus according to another of various embodiments of thedisclosure. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of A shown in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, an air condition measurement apparatus 200according to another of various embodiments of the disclosure mayinclude a housing 201, a blocking member 205, a vibration unit 206, andsupport members 208 for supporting the blocking member 205.

The support members 208 may be coupled to the inner surface of thehousing 201. The support members 208 may include a first support member281, a second support member 283, and buffer members 282 and 284. Thesecond support member 283 may be spaced apart from the first supportmember 281 so as to support the blocking member 205. The buffer members282 may be arranged on one side of the first support member 281 or onone side of the second support member 283. One side of the secondsupport member 283 may face one side the first support member 281. Thebuffer member 282 may be made of an elastic material. For example, thebuffer members 282 may be made of rubber. The buffer member 282 may beconfigured in the form of a sponge. The buffer members 282 may include afirst buffer member 282 and a second buffer member 284. The first buffermember 282 may be attached to one side of the first support member 281,and may have a round shape. The second buffer member 282 may be attachedto one side of the second support member 283, and may have a roundshape. The first buffer member 282 may be arranged so as to avoid facingthe second buffer member 284. The blocking member 205 may be insertedbetween the first buffer member 282 and the second buffer member 284 sothat the blocking member 205 may be pressed by the first and secondbuffer members 282. According to various embodiments of the disclosure,the first buffer member 282 may be arranged so as to face the secondbuffer member 284, as well as being arranged so as not to face thesecond buffer member 284.

The vibration unit 206 may be arranged along the edge of the blockingmember 205. The vibration unit 206 may have a longitudinal direction.The vibration unit 206 may be electrically connected to the control unit107 (FIG. 3) through a connection circuit 261.

If the vibration unit 206 vibrates the blocking member 205, the buffermembers 282 may absorb the vibration, thereby preventing the vibrationfrom being transmitted to the support members 208 or to the housing 201through the support members 208.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a blocking member and a vibration unit ofan air condition measurement apparatus according to another of variousembodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 6, the vibration unit 206 of an air conditionmeasurement apparatus according to another of various embodiments of thedisclosure may be arranged to be spaced apart from one end 251 of ablocking member 205.

A connection circuit 261 may be attached to one side of the vibrationunit 206. The connection circuit 261 attached to one side of thevibration unit 261 may be spaced a first distance (d) apart from the oneend 251 of the blocking member 205. Since the vibration unit 206 isspaced apart from the one end 251 of the blocking member 205, it ispossible to prevent the contact between the vibration unit 206 and theinner surface of the housing 201 (FIG. 4) in the state in which theblocking member 205 is coupled to the housing 201 (FIG. 4). Since thevibration unit 206 is not in contact with the inner surface of thehousing 201 (FIG. 4), the vibration may not be directly transferred fromthe vibration unit 206 to the housing 201 (FIG. 4), thereby preventinggeneration of noise due to the vibration from the vibration unit 206.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a blocking member and a vibration unit ofan air condition measurement apparatus according to another of variousembodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7, a vibration unit 206 a of an air conditionmeasurement apparatus according to another of various embodiments of thedisclosure may be arranged adjacent to one end 251 of a blocking member205. For example, one side 262 a of the vibration unit 206 a may beparallel with one end 251 of the blocking member 205. A connectioncircuit 261 may be attached to the upper surface of the vibration unit206 a.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a blocking member and a vibration unit ofan air condition measurement apparatus according to another of variousembodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8, a vibration unit 206 b of an air conditionmeasurement apparatus according to another of various embodiments of thedisclosure may be attached to one end 251 of a blocking member 205. Forexample, one side 262 b of the vibration unit 206 b may be attached toone end 251 of the blocking member 205. A connection circuit 261 may beattached to the other side opposite the one side 262 b of the vibrationunit 206 a.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing the state in which a blocking member and avibration unit of an air condition measurement apparatus are mountedaccording to another of various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 9, an air condition measurement apparatus 300according to another of various embodiments of the disclosure mayinclude support members, a blocking member 305, and a vibration unit306.

The support members may include a first support member 381, a secondsupport member 384, a first buffer member 382, and a second buffermember 383, and a detailed description of the elements the same as orsimilar to those in the above embodiments will be omitted.

The first buffer member 382 may be disposed to face the second buffermember 383. The blocking member 305 may be arranged between the firstbuffer member 382 and the second buffer member 383. The vibration unit306 may be arranged on one side of the blocking member 305. A connectioncircuit 361 may be attached to one side of the vibration unit 306. Thefirst support member 381 may have a space for receiving a portion of thevibration unit 306. The second buffer member 382 may have a space, whichis connected to the space of the first support member 381, for receivingthe vibration unit 306. The vibration unit 306 may be arranged on theblocking member 305 while being surrounded by the first support member381 and the buffer member 382. The first support member 381 may have anopening through which the connection circuit 361 passes.

FIG. 10A is a flowchart illustrating an air condition measurement methodaccording to one of various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 10A, an air condition measurement method according toone of various embodiments of the disclosure may include: an operationof radiating light using a light-emitting unit positioned inside thehousing so as to pass through a blocking member, which is made of atransparent material and prevents foreign substances from adhering to afirst lens of the light-emitting unit (S13); an operation of receivingreflection light obtained by reflection of the light radiated from thelight-emitting unit by the foreign substances contained in the airinside the housing via the blocking member using a light-receiving unitpositioned inside the housing (S15); an operation of receiving anelectrical signal corresponding to the received reflection light fromthe light-receiving unit (S17); and an operation of measuring a firstvalue of air condition by comparing the electrical signal received fromthe light-receiving unit with a predetermined value stored in a memoryusing a control unit (S19).

FIG. 10B is a flowchart illustrating an air condition measurement methodaccording to one of various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 10B, an air condition measurement method according toone of various embodiments of the disclosure may include: an operationof driving a fan at a first rotational speed such that air is introducedinto a housing (S21); an operation of radiating light using alight-emitting unit positioned inside the housing so as to pass througha blocking member, which is made of a transparent material and preventsforeign substances from adhering to a first lens of the light-emittingunit (S23); an operation of receiving reflection light by reflection ofthe light radiated from the light-emitting unit by the foreignsubstances contained in the air inside the housing via the blockingmember using a light-receiving unit positioned inside the housing (S25);an operation of receiving, from the light-receiving unit, an electricalsignal corresponding to the received reflection light (S27); and anoperation of measuring a first value of air condition by comparing theelectrical signal received from the light-receiving unit with apredetermined value stored in a memory using a control unit (S29); anoperation of receiving a second value of air condition stored in thememory (S31); an operation of increasing the rotation of the fan so asto remove the foreign substances inside the housing on the basis of thedifference between the first value and the second value (S33); and anoperation of measuring a first value of air condition inside the housingafter removing the foreign substances inside the housing (S35).

In the operation of driving the fan at a first rotational speed suchthat air is introduced into the housing (S21), the control unit 107(FIG. 2A) supplied with power may drive the fan at the first rotationalspeed so that air may be introduced into the housing.

In operation of receiving the second value of air condition stored inthe memory (S31), the control unit 107 (FIG. 2A) may receive the secondvalue of air condition stored in the memory. The second value may be areference value for removing foreign substances inside the housing.

In the operation of increasing the rotation of the fan so as to removethe foreign substances inside the housing on the basis of the differencebetween the first value and the second value (S33), the control unit 107(FIG. 2A) may compare the first value with the second value, and maythen perform control so as to increase the rotation of the fan on thebasis of the difference between the first value and the second value.For example, if there is a difference between the first value and thesecond value, the control unit 107 (FIG. 2A) may control the fan so asto be driven at a second rotational speed greater than the firstrotational speed, thereby removing the foreign substances inside thehousing.

In the operation of measuring a first value of air condition inside thehousing after removing the foreign substances inside the housing (S35),the control unit 107 (FIG. 2A) may perform control such that the fanrotates at the first rotational speed.

FIG. 10C is a flowchart illustrating an air condition measurement methodaccording to another of various embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 11is a graph illustrating a first value of air condition of an aircondition measurement apparatus and a third value of air conditionreceived using wireless communication according to various embodimentsof the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 10C and 11, an air condition measurement methodaccording to another of various embodiments of the disclosure mayinclude: an operation of driving a fan at a first rotational speed suchthat air is introduced into a housing (S41); an operation of radiatinglight using a light-emitting unit positioned inside the housing so as topass through a blocking member, which is made of a transparent materialand prevents foreign substances from adhering to a first lens of thelight-emitting unit (S43); an operation of receiving reflection lightobtained by reflection of the light radiated from the light-emittingunit by the foreign substances contained in the air inside the housingvia the blocking member using a light-receiving unit positioned insidethe housing (S45); an operation of receiving, from the light-receivingunit, an electrical signal corresponding to the received reflectionlight (S47); and an operation of measuring a first value of aircondition by comparing the electrical signal received from thelight-receiving unit with a predetermined value stored in a memory usinga control unit (S49); an operation of receiving a third value of aircondition outside the housing using a communication module of thehousing, which is connected to a network (S51); an operation ofreceiving an electrical signal corresponding to the third value from thecommunication module (S53); an operation of increasing the rotation ofthe fan so as to remove the foreign substances inside the housing on thebasis of the difference between the first value and the third value(S55); and an operation of measuring a first value of air conditioninside the housing after removing the foreign substances inside thehousing (S57).

In the operation of driving the fan at a first rotational speed suchthat air is introduced into the housing (S41), the control unit 107(FIG. 2A) supplied with power may drive the fan at the first rotationalspeed so that air may be introduced into the housing.

In the operation of receiving a third value of air condition outside thehousing using a communication module of the housing, which is connectedto a network (S51), a third value (S1) of air condition outside thehousing may be received using a communication module connected to anetwork (e.g., an external server). For example, the air conditionmeasurement apparatus may be provided indoors, and the third value (S1)may indicate the foreign substance concentration of the outdoor aircondition.

In the operation of receiving an electrical signal corresponding to thethird value from the communication module (S53), the control unit 107(FIG. 2A) may receive an electrical signal from the communicationmodule, thereby recognizing the foreign substance concentration of theoutdoor air condition.

In the operation of increasing the rotation of the fan so as to removethe foreign substances inside the housing on the basis of the differencebetween the first value (S2) and the third value (S1) (S55), the controlunit 107 (FIG. 2A) may compare the first value (S2) with the third value(S1), and may then perform control so as to increase the rotation of thefan on the basis of the difference between the first value (S2) and thethird value (S1). For example, if there is a difference (A) between thefirst value (S2) and the third value (S1), the control unit 107 (FIG.2A) may control the fan so as to be driven at a second rotational speedgreater than the first rotational speed, thereby removing the foreignsubstances inside the housing. The difference (A) between the firstvalue (S2) and the third value (S1) may be configured by the controlunit according to the size of a housing of the air condition measurementapparatus, the performance of a light-receiving unit, and the like.Since the foreign substances inside the housing are removed, the amountof reflection light received by the light-receiving unit due to theforeign substances inside the housing is reduced, thereby preventingdeterioration of the reliability of the first value.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the air conditionmeasurement method may further include an operation of driving the fanat a second rotational speed greater than the first rotational speedevery predetermined time. The predetermined time may be variouslyconfigured by the control unit.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the air conditionmeasuring method may further include an operation of generatingvibration through a vibration unit arranged on one side of the blockingmember. The operation of generating vibration through the vibration unitmay be performed on the basis of the difference between the first value(S2) and the third value (S1). According to various embodiments of thedisclosure, the operation of generating vibration through the vibrationunit may be performed on the basis of the difference between the firstvalue and the second value of air condition stored in the memory.According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the operation ofgenerating vibration through the vibration unit may be performed on thebasis of a predetermined time. According to various embodiments of thedisclosure, the operation of generating vibration through the vibrationunit may be performed on the basis of specified information (e.g.,instructions) received from an external server or an external electronicdevice. The operation of generating vibration through the vibration unitmay remove foreign substances (e.g. dust) attached to the blockingmember.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an air condition measurementapparatus according to another of various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 12, an air condition measurement apparatus 300 aaccording to another of various embodiments of the disclosure mayinclude a housing 301 a and a blocking member 305 a, and a descriptionof the elements the same as or similar to those in the above embodimentswill be omitted.

The housing 301 a may include one side 314 a, which has an opening 315 athrough which the blocking member 305 a is inserted and taken out. Forexample, the opening 315 a may have a size corresponding to one end ofthe blocking member 305 a.

The blocking member 305 a may be inserted into the housing 301 a throughthe opening 315 a, or may be taken out of the housing 301 atherethrough. The user may take out the blocking member 305 a from thehousing 301 a, and may remove foreign substances attached to theblocking member 305 a. After the foreign substances of the blockingmember 305 a are removed, the blocking member 305 a may be inserted intothe housing 301 a through the opening 315 a.

FIG. 13 is a view showing the interior of an air condition measurementapparatus according to another of various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 13, an air condition measurement apparatus 400according to another of various embodiments of the disclosure mayinclude a housing 401, a light-emitting unit 402, a light-receiving unit403, a fan 404, a blocking member 405, a vibration unit 406, a controlunit 407, a third driving circuit 473, an amplifier circuit 472, a firstdriving circuit 574, and a second driving circuit 576.

The light-emitting unit 402 and the light-receiving unit 403 may bearranged side by side on the blocking member 406. The blocking member406 may prevent foreign substances from adhering to the lens of thelight-emitting unit 402 and the lens of the light-receiving unit 403.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the light-receivingunit 403 may be disposed to face the fan 404. If the light-receivingunit 403 receives reflection light reflected by foreign substance, thecontrol unit 407 may stop driving the fan 404, thereby preventinggeneration of light noise of the light-receiving unit 403 due to therotation of the fan.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an air condition measurementapparatus according to another of various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 14, an air condition measurement apparatus 500according to another of various embodiments of the disclosure mayinclude a housing 501, a first display unit 502, a second display unit503, and a third display unit 551, and a description of the elements thesame as or similar to those in the above embodiments will be omitted.

The first display unit 502 may be arranged on the upper side of ahousing 501, and may output a color corresponding to a first value ofair condition inside the housing 501.

The second display unit 503 may output the temperature and humidity ofthe room where the air measurement apparatus is provided using atemperature sensor and a humidity sensor mounted on the housing.

The third display unit 551 may output a color corresponding to a thirdvalue of outdoor air condition using an output device 505 provided atthe lower portion of the housing 501. For example, if the first value islower than the third value, the first display unit 502 may output a bluecolor, and the third display unit 551 may output a red color. The usermay view the colors of the first and third display units 502 and 551,thereby considering whether or not to remove indoor foreign substances.

As described above, an air condition measurement apparatus according tovarious embodiments of the disclosure may include: a housing including afirst space and a second space therein; a light-emitting unit positionedinside the housing, including a first lens, and configured to radiatelight onto air introduced into the housing; a light-receiving unitpositioned inside the housing, including a second lens, and configuredto receive reflected light obtained by reflection of the light radiatedfrom the light-emitting unit by foreign substances contained in the air;a blocking member through which the radiated light or the reflectionlight passes through and configured to separate the first space in whichthe light-emitting unit or the light-receiving unit is arranged from thesecond space; and a control unit, wherein the control unit is configuredto measure air condition on the basis of an electrical signalcorresponding to the reflection light received by the light-receivingunit.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the blocking membermay be configured in the form of a plate, and may be coupled to an innersurface of the housing.

The air condition measurement apparatus according to various embodimentsof the disclosure may further include a fan configured to discharge theair inside the housing through an air outlet of the housing such thatair outside the housing is introduced into the housing through an airinlet of the housing.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the fan may bepositioned at the air outlet.

The air condition measurement apparatus according to various embodimentsof the disclosure may further include a memory electrically connected tothe control unit, wherein the control unit may perform control so as toincrease the rotation of the fan on the basis of the difference betweena first value of a measured air condition and a second value of aircondition stored in the memory.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the control unit maycontrol the rotational speed of the fan at every predetermined time.

The air condition measurement apparatus according to various embodimentsof the disclosure may further include a communication module configuredto transmit and receive a radio signal, wherein the control unit mayperform control so as to increase the rotation of the fan on the basisof the difference between the first value of the measured air conditionand a third value of air condition received through the communicationmodule.

The air condition measurement apparatus according to various embodimentsof the disclosure may further include a vibration unit arranged on oneside of the blocking member and configured to generate vibrations so asto remove foreign substances attached to the blocking member.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the vibration unitmay include a piezoelectric element, and may be arranged to be spacedapart from one end of the blocking member.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the control unit maybe configured to control the vibration unit so as to generate thevibration upon receiving specified information through the communicationmodule.

The air condition measurement apparatus according to various embodimentsof the disclosure may further include support members coupled to aninner surface of the housing and supporting the blocking member, whereinthe support members may include: a first support member; a secondsupport member spaced apart from the first support member and supportingthe blocking member; and buffer members arranged on one side of thefirst support member or on one side of the second support member.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the buffer membersmay include: a first buffer member attached to one side of the firstsupport member and having a round shape; and a second buffer memberattached to one side of the second support member, which faces the oneside of the first support member, and having a round shape, wherein thefirst buffer member may be arranged so as not to face the second buffermember.

The air condition measurement apparatus according to various embodimentsof the disclosure may further include an opening provided on one side ofthe housing, through which the blocking member is inserted/taken out.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the light-emittingunit and the light-receiving unit may be arranged on the blockingmember.

An air condition measurement method according to various embodiments ofthe disclosure may include: radiating light using a light-emitting unitpositioned inside a housing so as to pass through a blocking memberpreventing foreign substances from adhering to a first lens of thelight-emitting unit; receiving reflected light obtained by reflection ofthe radiated light from the light-emitting unit by foreign substancescontained in the air inside the housing via the blocking member using alight-receiving unit positioned inside the housing; receiving anelectrical signal corresponding to the received reflection light fromthe light-receiving unit; and measuring a first value of air conditionby comparing the electrical signal received from the light-receivingunit with a predetermined value stored in a memory using a control unit.

The air condition measurement method according to various embodiments ofthe disclosure may further include: driving a fan at a first rotationalspeed such that air is introduced into the housing; receiving a secondvalue of air condition stored in the memory; and increasing the rotationof the fan so as to remove the foreign substances inside the housing onthe basis of the difference between the first value and the secondvalue.

The air condition measurement method according to various embodiments ofthe disclosure may include measuring a first value of air conditioninside the housing after removing the foreign substances inside thehousing.

The air condition measurement method according to various embodiments ofthe disclosure may further include: driving the fan at a firstrotational speed such that air is introduced into the housing; receivinga third value of air condition outside the housing using a communicationmodule of the housing, which is connected to a network; receiving anelectrical signal corresponding to the third value from thecommunication module; and increasing the rotation of the fan so as toremove the foreign substances inside the housing on the basis of adifference between the first value and the third value.

The air condition measurement method according to various embodiments ofthe disclosure may further include driving the fan at a secondrotational speed greater than the first rotational speed everypredetermined time.

The air condition measurement method according to various embodiments ofthe disclosure may further include generating vibration through avibration unit arranged on one side of the blocking member.

While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference tocertain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as definedby the appended claims.

1. An air condition measurement apparatus comprising: a housingcomprising a first space and a second space therein; a light-emittingunit positioned inside the housing, comprising a first lens, andconfigured to radiate light onto air introduced into the housing; alight-receiving unit positioned inside the housing, comprising a secondlens, and configured to receive reflected light obtained by reflectionof the light radiated from the light-emitting unit by foreign substancescontained in the air; a blocking member through which the radiated lightor the reflection light passes through and configured to separate thefirst space in which the light-emitting unit or the light-receiving unitis arranged from the second space; and a control unit, wherein thecontrol unit is configured to receive a signal corresponding to thereflection light received by the light-receiving unit.
 2. The aircondition measurement apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blocking memberis configured in the form of a plate and is coupled to an inner surfaceof the housing.
 3. The air condition measurement apparatus of claim 1,further comprising a fan configured to discharge the air inside thehousing through an air outlet of the housing such that air outside thehousing is introduced into the housing through an air inlet of thehousing, wherein the fan is disposed at the air outlet.
 4. The aircondition measurement apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a memoryelectrically connected to the control unit, wherein the control unit isconfigured to perform control so as to increase the rotation of the fanon the basis of a difference between a first value of a measured aircondition and a second value of air condition stored in the memory, andwherein the control unit is configured to control the rotational speedof the fan at every predetermined time, wherein the first value of themeasured air condition is measured by comparing the signal received fromthe light-receiving unit with a predetermined value stored in thememory.
 5. The air condition measurement apparatus of claim 4, furthercomprising a communication module configured to transmit and receive aradio signal, wherein the control unit is configured to perform controlso as to increase the rotation of the fan on the basis of a differencebetween the first value of the measured air condition and a third valueof air condition received through the communication module.
 6. The aircondition measurement apparatus of claim 1, further comprising avibration unit arranged on one side of the blocking member andconfigured to generate vibration so as to remove foreign substancesattached to the blocking member, wherein the vibration unit comprises apiezoelectric element and is arranged to be spaced apart from one end ofthe blocking member.
 7. The air condition measurement apparatus of claim6, wherein the control unit is configured to control the vibration unitso as to generate the vibration upon receiving specified informationthrough a communication module.
 8. The air condition measurementapparatus of claim 1, further comprising support members coupled to aninner surface of the housing and supporting the blocking member, whereinthe support members comprise: a first support member; a second supportmember spaced apart from the first support member and supporting theblocking member; and buffer members arranged on one side of the firstsupport member or on one side of the second support member, wherein thebuffer members comprise: a first buffer member attached to one side ofthe first support member and having around shape; and a second buffermember attached to one side of the second support member, which facesthe one side of the first support member, and having a round shape, andwherein the first buffer member is arranged so as not to face the secondbuffer member.
 9. The air condition measurement apparatus of claim 1,further comprising an opening provided on one side of the housing,through which the blocking member is inserted/taken out.
 10. The aircondition measurement apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light-emittingunit and the light-receiving unit are arranged on the blocking member.11. An air condition measurement method comprising: radiating lightusing a light-emitting unit positioned inside a housing so as to passthrough a blocking member preventing foreign substances from adhering toa first lens of the light-emitting unit; receiving reflected lightobtained by reflection of the radiated light from the light-emittingunit by foreign substances contained in the air inside the housing viathe blocking member using a light-receiving unit positioned inside thehousing; receiving a signal corresponding to the received reflectionlight from the light-receiving unit; and measuring a first value of aircondition by comparing the signal received from the light-receiving unitwith a predetermined value stored in a memory using a control unit. 12.The air condition measurement method of claim 11, further comprising:driving a fan at a first rotational speed such that air is introducedinto the housing; receiving a second value of air condition stored inthe memory; increasing the rotation of the fan so as to remove theforeign substances inside the housing on the basis of a differencebetween the first value and the second value; and measuring a firstvalue of air condition inside the housing after removing the foreignsubstances inside the housing.
 13. The air condition measurement methodof claim 12, further comprising: driving the fan at a first rotationalspeed such that air is introduced into the housing; receiving a thirdvalue of air condition outside the housing using a communication moduleof the housing, which is connected to a network; receiving a signalcorresponding to the third value from the communication module; andincreasing the rotation of the fan so as to remove the foreignsubstances inside the housing on the basis of a difference between thefirst value and the third value.
 14. The air condition measurementmethod of claim 13, further comprising driving the fan at a secondrotational speed greater than the first rotational speed everypredetermined time.
 15. The air condition measurement method of claim11, further comprising generating vibration through a vibration unitarranged on one side of the blocking member.